I have quite a few laptops that have been languishing in a non-fully-reviewed state for a while. The New Year has been a bit crazy, and in the midst of trying to update the benchmark suite and some other items, the time for a full review is long since passed. We’re finally done with our 2013 Mobile Benchmark Suite, and as we’ll have a variety of laptops to review in the coming weeks, I thought the UX51VZ was a good start for our new test suite. I won’t include every chart in this short review, but here’s the quick summary.

The ASUS Zenbook UX51VZ is a nice looking laptop that takes the core of the thicker N56V type chassis and thins it out, at the same time going for an aluminum chassis. At the same time, ASUS has upgraded the LCD to a nice quality IPS 1080p panel (anti-reflective, no less!), which is about as good as you’re going to find in Windows consumer laptops right now—though I suspect laptops like the soon-to-launch Toshiba KIRAbook may have something to say about that shortly.

As you might guess from the “[xxx]book” names, these laptops are gunning for Apple’s MacBook Pro (Retina) in terms of overall experience. While I personally feel they fall short in some areas (the Retina still has a better LCD that’s factory calibrated to deliver good color accuracy), they’re also less expensive and they’re designed from the ground up to run Windows. That won’t be sufficient to win back users who have switched to Apple, but it might be enough to entice those contemplating the change to stick with Windows a while longer.

Overall, ASUS has a great laptop in the UX51VZ, with an excellent display, good build quality, and good sound. This isn’t the best sounding laptop I’ve heard, but it’s better than most, and the mini subwoofer ASUS includes definitely helps of you’re willing to tote it around. The keyboard and touchpad are also decent and don’t make me complain too much (though I still wish the keyboard were a bit wider with a standard 10-key instead of the half-size “0”). Finally, the specs are good if not exceptional, and really the only sticking point for most people is going to be the price. Here’s the quick overview of our test configuration:

Originally, the price of the 256GB SSD version of the UX51VZ was closer to $2200, which puts it dangerously close to MacBook Pro Retina 15 territory. I can argue that a native Windows laptop is better than a MacBook running Windows (because it is—better battery life, driver support, and working Optimus Technology to name a few items), but based purely on the hardware the Retina 15 wins out—better LCD, faster CPU, and most will agree the build quality is better as well. When the price difference grows to $400 or more, however, the UX51VZ doesn’t look that bad.

The MBP 15 Retina’s glossy 2880x1800 native resolution is still impressive, but the DPI is such that you can’t actually use it without scaling and other tricks, so it ends up being more like a really nice 1920x1200 LCD, at least in Windows. On the other hand, the initial MBP 15 Retina is currently available for $1900, making the decision much more difficult once again. For most people willing to spend this much money on a laptop, it comes down to a question of whether you prefer Windows (buy the ASUS), OS X (MBP), or if you’re interested in trying OS X and like the idea of dual-booting Windows (MBP again).

In terms of upgrading the hardware, getting at the UX51VZ internals is relatively painless (T-5 Torx screwdriver required), but the only item you’re likely to upgrade is the single SO-DIMM, as most of the other parts are pretty much the best current option (e.g. upgrading the CPU and GPU isn’t really practical, as the i7-3612QM/3632QM is faster than any of the other 35W dual-core options, and the GPU is non-upgradeable). The SSDs as far as I can tell are also a proprietary form factor, so unless you can find someone selling a supported upgrade (2x256GB models are available), you’re stuck there as well.

Aesthetically and from a design standpoint, I like a lot of what ASUS has done with the UX51VZ; there’s even a touchscreen version available now if that’s what you’re after. No doubt ASUS will have an updated Haswell release in the near future, but if you want a good thin and light laptop and are willing to go with a 15.6” screen chassis, as I noted a couple weeks back it’s near the top of my list. Today, I can provide the full benchmark results with our new test suite to help potential buyers know what they’re getting.

67 Comments

If they had included a Thunderbolt port...I'd be trying to find ways to come up with the money to buy this thing. As is...hopefully when they re-work it for Haswell, they will include a Thunderbolt port.Reply

"The MBP 15 Retina’s glossy 2880x1800 native resolution is still impressive, but the DPI is such that you can’t actually use it without scaling and other tricks, so it ends up being more like a really nice 1920x1200 LCD, at least in Windows. " - I'm SO GLAD to actually read this written as it basically shows the power of Marketing. Thank you!Reply

It still doesn't change the fact that the Retina MBP has more than double the resolution of the Asus and even more staggering since both use a 15" display (another plus for the rMBP is the use of the 16:10 ratio). There's nothing wrong with 1080p but those wanting a denser screen (typeface looks incredible at 220ppi) have a choice.Reply

So I have a rMBP. And it doesn't really look all that good unless you're using it at the "recommended" resolution (1440x900 equivalent) - which looks amazing. It's not terrible, and it does have good colors, but if I run it at "1680x1050" or "1920x1200" "equivalent", I'm not nearly as wowed. I like having the additional resolution that the 1680x1050 equivalent resolutions afford when I'm working, which is why I don't really like the "recommended" resolution.Reply

I run both of our rMBPs @ 1920x1200 all the time. Not sure why you're not 'wowed'. Doesn't matter which resolution you're running, it's pixel doubling and still allowing for pin sharp text and detail. At this resolution, it's actually doubling the density to 3840x2400. Every time I turn mine on, I'm 'wowed!' In 27 years of purchasing computers, I can honestly say its been a long time since a computer actually did 'wow' me. They've been basically just tools til these dropped. I'm a fan of HiDPI and am with the Anand crew. Hopefully this year is the year that Windows OEMs will follow suit. After using 'retina' capable devices....regardless these days of the actual manufacturer (as others have now entered the same segment in tablet and phone production)...it's rough going back to a regular, lower resolution TN panel.

Certainly not arguing here that windows isn't best run in a windows machine though;).

"Yes, you can get similar and even slightly better performance from ASUS' own G55VW for $1156 (don't forget to add an SSD!), but I'm not sure anyone would argue the G55VW looks better than the UX51VZ."

Eh, I dispute this. So you have someone who argues the point. I guess I think the (silver) "metal" laptop is all played out. Macbook's been doing it a while and it was chic like thin used to be, but now it's just getting stupid and costing a lot more than it should to look... like a Macbook from years ago. Yes, even Macbooks look mostly like Macbooks from years ago.

I think we deserve better now. We deserve sleek, black laptops again. Screw silver or gray laptops. Black is the new silver metal.Reply

But would you rather have a thick, massive wedge instead of a thin chassis? Color could be changed if there was demand, but the black "stealth wedge" is hardly attractive. But, I figured someone would disagree, if only to play devil's advocate. It's the Internet after all.Reply